Price selection vending machine arrangement

ABSTRACT

A vending machine electrical control system provides for setting a selected price in each of a plurality of modules by means of a simplified circuit using a common price selection relay arrangement for all modules and a price selection switch for each of the modules.

United States Patent [191 Cullum [451 Aug. 14, 1973 [54] PRICE SELECTIONVENDING MACHINE 2,975,935 3/l96l Hebel 194 10 ARRANGEMENT OTHERPUBLICATIONS [75] Inventor: Troy Cullum Conway Applicants Disclosure,page 6, lines l4-l 7. [73] Assignee: Polyvend, lnc., Conway, Ark.

Primary Examiner-Robert B. Reeves [22] Filed: June 1971 AssistantExaminer-Thomas E. Kocovsky [21] Appl. No.2 151,792 Attorney-Raymond N.Matson [52] us. Cl. 194/10 [57] ABSTRACT [51] Int. Cl. G07f 11/58 A n ig m hine le tri al control system provides [58] Field of Search 174/4,10, 9 for ing a selected pri e in each of a plurality of modules bymeans of a simplified circuit using a common [56] Reference Cited priceselection relay arrangement for all modules and UNITED STATES PATENTS aprice selection switch for each of the modules. 3,349,881 10/1967 Campl94/l0 8 Claims, 3 Drawing Figures COIN 4O MECHANISM 4' PRICEDISCRIMINATOR 42 VENDING MECHANISM 2 MODULE SELECTION N 2 PRICESELECTION N O l 2 VENDING N V l MODULES L Patented Aug. 14, 1973 2Sheets-Sheet 1 F IGI COIN MECHANISM PRICE DISCRIMINATOR VENDINGMECHANISM MODULE SELECTION PRICE SELECTION VENDING MODULES INVENTOR TROYCULLUM AGENT Patented Aug. 14, 1973 3,752,287

2 Sheets-Sheet 2 4o LINE I N 2 COIN MECHANISM PAYOUT SELECTION comCONTROL LP HP RETURN LOW PRICE BLOCK 1 HIGH PRICE SELECT VEND RELAYMODULE SELECT PRICE SELECT MODULES INVENTOR TROY CULLUM AGENT PRICESELECTION VENDING MACHINE ARRANGEMENT This invention relates to vendingmachine control circuits and more particularly it relates to controlcircuits for multiple-module vending machines for setting a vendingprice at each module.

Typical multiple-module vending machines are known in the art and areexemplified by that described in the copending U. S. application, S. N.47,257, filed June 19, I970, by William A. Patrick for Improved VendingMachine. In such machine, a plurality of modular vending units, eachhaving an operating motor, are assembled in a cabinet to vend variousitems such as candy bars, bags of potato chips and sweet rolls, etc., asdesignated by a selection switch accessible at the front panel.

When items of various prices need be vended, such as cents and 25 cents,different schemes have been used to set the vending price for variousmodules. In most such schemes, it has been necessary to provide a pricecontrol relay for each module, which is complex and expensive.Furthermore, it has not been possible in many cases to individuallyselect a price at each module regardless of location in the cabinet.Thus, the vending machines have not given proper loading flexibility toaccount for size, weight, fragility and preferred location for promotionof the items to be dispensed.

Accordingly, it is a main object of the invention to provide an improvedvending machine'affording individual price selection at all locations.

A further object of the invention is to provide electrical pricingcontrol circuits in a multiple-modular vending machine which permitsindividual pricing at every vending module without necessitating apricing relay for every module.

In accordance with the invention, therefore, a preferred embodiment formultiple-module vending machines provides for a switch for each vendingmodule to establish one of two price choices, and a common simple relaycontrol circuit discriminating the price for all the separate modules.

Further features, objectives and advantages will be found throughout thefollowing more detailed description with reference to the accompanyingdrawing, wherein:

FIG. 1 is a perspective sketch of a multiple-module type vendingmachine.

FIG. 2 is a block diagram of a price selection control arrangementprovided in accordance with this invention, and

FIG. 3 is a wiring diagram of the price selection control circuitsafforded in accordance with the teachings of this invention.

A multiple-module vending machine 21 is shown in FIG. 1 having modularvending units arranged within a front window in four rows of fivemodules identified with conveyors 35, 53 etc., upon which potato chipbags 36 or the like may be arranged. Upon selection of a switch button31 when money is placed in slot 27, a self-contained motor of a selectedmodule is caused to drop off the bag to fall to the bottom for accessthrough door 33. A back hinge 26 on the rear panel gives access to themotor control circuits and modules. The front door with glass panel 23is hinged at 24 for opening with a key at lock 25 to replace bags.Inside the front door may be located a bank of price selection switches(not shown) so that the arrangement of bags 36 can be changed withdifferent products at different locations even when the prices vary.Thus, lower row 22 can be used for fragile articles that need not,therefore, be dropped so far when released by the vending motor. It alsomay be desirable to mount some items near the top 21 at eye level inorder to provide a better chance for selection. Coin return slot 30 isprovided for receiving change or a return of the coin if a selection issold out as provided by conventional coin changing equipment.

In FIG. 2 the conventional coin mechanism, such as may be purchased fromNational Rejectors, Inc., of St. Louis, Mo., is shown as block 40, andis accompanied by a price discriminator portion which will relay controlsignals on line 42 that indicate whether coins of either of twopredetermined price schedules have been deposited. Typical prices are l0cents and 25 cents. If the proper price is indicated at lead 42 for aselection made at selection switch bank 31 as identified for each module1, 2, -N by a corresponding price selection switch for each modulearrayed in bank 43, then a feed back signal at lead 44 to vending relaymechanism 45 causes the vending mechanism to operate; and, thus, operatea motor for a selected module 1, 2, -N in vending section 20.

The general mode of operation follows in the control circuit shown inFIG. 3, where operating voltages are supplied on lines 1 and 2. Theprice discrimination section 41 of the coin mechanism provides not onlythe output selection signals for low-priced items (LP) on lead 50 andhigh-priced items (H?) on lead 51 but is provided with input controlleads 42 for controlling when a return of the deposited money may occurand leads 53, S4 for respectively controlling the counting out of changewhen the high and low priced selections are made. Thus, the onlyselection process that need be made is the actuation of a moduleselection switch 31A or 318, etc., which is caused to move from theposition shown in the drawing when a selection is made of any availablemodule. Dotted leads 55, 56 indicate that the other switches 31C, etc.,are connected in the same sequences. Similarly, broken leads 57, 58allow for insertion of similarly wired elements so that the same circuitconnections are used for any number of modules desired even through onlytwo representative modules are shown connected in FIG. 3.

For each module selection switch is a corresponding price selectionswitch 60A, etc., and a vending motor 61A, etc., which is connected tovend one bag by means of operation through a timed motor cycle. This iseffected by momentarily energizing the motor by the module select switchand control circuit operation, so that cams 62A, etc., will rotate tohold the motor energized through switches 63A, etc., until the vendcycle is complete. These switches are wired so that only one vendingmotor may be operated at a time.

A normally energized vend relay is deactuated through switches 63A,etc., whenever a motor is running, so that the coin return isdeactivated on lead 52.

If a high-price amount is put into coin mechanism 40, the high-priceselect relay 71 is energized by a signal at lead 51 to change itscontact positions 71A and 718. For a low-price selection, the relay 71contacts remain as shown and a low-price signal on lead 50 is processedthrough the control circuits so that when vend relay 70 is released andlow-price block relay 72 is not energized, the payout control line 54may be actuated for making change. Thus, if 25 cents is deposited and acent selection button 31A, etc., is selected, the change is made exceptwhen low-price block relay is energized.

To exemplify operation of the system, price select switch 60A is shownset for a high-price article and price select switch 608 is shown setfor a low-price article. These switches may be toggle switchesaccessible from the front when the door is opened to load the modulesand are semi-permanently set until the price of the article on theparticular vending module is changed for some reason.

HIGH-PRICE SELECTION OPERATION Now, first consider the operation whenthe high-price article is selected by momentary contact of the selectionswitch BIA with the contacts opposite those shown in the drawing by apurchaser making a selection. The left-hand switch portion of selectorswitch 31A serves to energize the low-price block relay 72 as indicatedby a signal from the coin mechanism at lead 50 that at least this lowerprice amount is deposited. It is to be noted that conventional coinmechanisms now commerically available will give flexibility in settingvarious low-and high-price values and will meter out change fromdeposited coins under the payout control section of the coin mechanism.The energization of the lowprice block relay 72 serves by medium ofcontacts 72A to prevent any payout of change based on the lower priceselection by opening the lead 54.

The right-hand section of module sheet switch 31A serves to energizemotor 61A snd through cam 62A to finish a vending cycle only if there isenough money deposited to energize the high-price selection lead 51 incoin mechanism 40, which in turn energizes high-price select relay 71and completes the circuit by means of contact 718 changeover.

When the motor is energized, and contact 63A is opened the vend relay 70is de-energized to open the coin return lead 52 and prevent the returnof the money deposited, as accomplished by contacts 70C. Contacts 703connect high-price selection lead 51 (because relay 71 is energized) tothe high-price payout control lead 53 to permit change to be processedbased on the high-price.

Thus, the sequence of operation for a high-price selection is asfollows:

1. Coins are deposited.

2. A selection switch is depressed momentarily.

3. The motor is started through a vend cycle if enough money isdeposited.

4. The vend relay is de energized throughout the vend cycle preventingreturn of the coins deposited.

5. Low-price block relay is actuated so that change is made for thehigh-price amount. I

6. After the vend cycle, the vend relay is energized in preparation fora new cycle.

LOW-PRICE SELECTION OPERATION If module select button switch 313 ismomentarily closed to change the contact positions, and thecorresponding price select switch 603 is in the low-price position, asshown, the same general sequence takes place except that change iscounted out based upon the lowprice selection.

Thus, the left-hand section of module select switch 3113 makes a circuitwhen the low-price lead 50 is actuated by deposit of at least thatamount in coin mechanism 40, to start the vend cycle with energizationof motor 61B. In this mode of operation, the low-price block relay 72cannot be energized and the low-price payout is permitted by the vendrelay under control of contact set 70A, via contact set 72A on theenergized low-price block relay 72. Even if the higher price amount isdeposited, the coin mechanism will operate to return the greater amountof change indicated by the low-price payout control lead 54.

Thus, the operating sequence is the same as before except that in step5, the change is made for the lowprice amount.

It is to be understood that the forms of the invention herewith shownand described are to be taken as preferred examples and that variouschanges may be resorted to without departure from the spirit of theinvention or the scope of the subjoined claims.

What is claimed is:

1. In vending machines of a multiple-module type, the price selectionarrangement comprising in combination,

momentary selection switches for identifying selected ones of saidmodules for a vending operation, motor controlled vending means for eachmodule causing a vend cycle to be completed in response to operation ofa corresponding said mo mentary selection switch,

a price selection switch for each module designating for each module anyone of at least two different price schedules,

a coin mechanism identifying the receipt of payment of different pricesof said schedules,

a switching mechanism common to all modules establishing a differentvending condition for each of the different price schedules,

and a control circuit operated by said switching mechanism to operatethe motor of one of the modules identified by one of the selectionswitches conditionally only when the coin mechanism identifies paymentof the price established by the price selection switch for that module.

2. An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the control circuitcomprises a relay operable in two different states as a correspondingtwo of said price schedules are identified by said coin mechanism.

3. An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said means causing avend cycle comprises for each module a vending motor momentarilyactuated when the module is selected by one of said selection switchesand means on said motor to complete the vending cycle after saidmomentary actuation.

4. An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the switching mechanismincludes a vending relay operable momentarily when the control circuitidentifies a price schedule corresponding to that selected for themodule by one of said selection switches.

5. An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the coin mechanism makeschange and including relay control circuits operable by said priceselection switch for the selected module thereby providing change.

6. A control circuit in vending machine for vending selected ones of aplurality of items having at least two prices wherein each item isvended under control of a corresponding module having a motor operatedthrough a vending cycle in response to momentary contact of acorresponding item selection switch identifying a particular one of saiditems, comprising in combination, coin identifying means providingswitching control paths for different coins deposited, at price switchfor each item identifying its price, relay controlled switching meanscommon to all modules and responsive to set up different controlcircuits for different prices as controlled by said price switch, amomentary selection switch for each item connected with itscorresponding pricing switch to operate said switching control means,and a price comparison circuit operated by said relay controlledswitching means to initiate said vending cycle in response to saidmomentary selection switch only when the coins deposited exceed theprice of the selected item.

7. A vending machine comprising in combination, electric control circuitmeans including an electrically operated coin mechanism having circuitstherein for controlling payout from deposited coins for at least twodifferent item prices, electrically actuated cyclic means for vending aplurality of different items in response to a momentary switch selectionwhere some of the items have different ones of said two prices, a set ofmomentary switches in said electric control means operable to actuatesaid cyclic control means to vend selected items, a pricing switch insaid electric control circuit means for each item establishing aselected one of said prices, and further electrical control circuitsincluding said pricing switches and said circuits controlling payout insaid coin mechanism connected for operation by said momentary switchselection to initiate a vending cycle to dispense a selected said itemidentified by an actuated one of said momentary switches only when atleast the selected price is deposited in the coin mechanism wherein thecoin mechanism makes change in response to the circuits controllingpayout and including relay control circuits controlled by the priceselection switch for the selected item controlling the payout of change.

8. A machine as defined in claim 7 wherein said further electricalcontrol circuits consist of a single low price relay connected tooperate said coin mechanism for controlling payout for any of saidplurality of items identified by the position of its respective saidpricing switch as a lower price item of said two prices and a singlehigh price relay connected to operate said coin mechanism forcontrolling payout of any of said plurality of items identified by theposition of its respective said pricing switch as a high price item ofsaid two prices.

1. In vending machines of a multiple-module type, the price selectionarrangement comprising in combination, momentary selection switches foridentifying selected ones of said modules for a vending operation, motorcontrolled vending means for each module causing a vend cycle to Becompleted in response to operation of a corresponding said momentaryselection switch, a price selection switch for each module designatingfor each module any one of at least two different price schedules, acoin mechanism identifying the receipt of payment of different prices ofsaid schedules, a switching mechanism common to all modules establishinga different vending condition for each of the different price schedules,and a control circuit operated by said switching mechanism to operatethe motor of one of the modules identified by one of the selectionswitches conditionally only when the coin mechanism identifies paymentof the price established by the price selection switch for that module.2. An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the control circuitcomprises a relay operable in two different states as a correspondingtwo of said price schedules are identified by said coin mechanism.
 3. Anarrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein said means causing a vendcycle comprises for each module a vending motor momentarily actuatedwhen the module is selected by one of said selection switches and meanson said motor to complete the vending cycle after said momentaryactuation.
 4. An arrangement as defined in claim 1 wherein the switchingmechanism includes a vending relay operable momentarily when the controlcircuit identifies a price schedule corresponding to that selected forthe module by one of said selection switches.
 5. An arrangement asdefined in claim 1 wherein the coin mechanism makes change and includingrelay control circuits operable by said price selection switch for theselected module thereby providing change.
 6. A control circuit invending machine for vending selected ones of a plurality of items havingat least two prices wherein each item is vended under control of acorresponding module having a motor operated through a vending cycle inresponse to momentary contact of a corresponding item selection switchidentifying a particular one of said items, comprising in combination,coin identifying means providing switching control paths for differentcoins deposited, a price switch for each item identifying its price,relay controlled switching means common to all modules and responsive toset up different control circuits for different prices as controlled bysaid price switch, a momentary selection switch for each item connectedwith its corresponding pricing switch to operate said switching controlmeans, and a price comparison circuit operated by said relay controlledswitching means to initiate said vending cycle in response to saidmomentary selection switch only when the coins deposited exceed theprice of the selected item.
 7. A vending machine comprising incombination, electric control circuit means including an electricallyoperated coin mechanism having circuits therein for controlling payoutfrom deposited coins for at least two different item prices,electrically actuated cyclic means for vending a plurality of differentitems in response to a momentary switch selection where some of theitems have different ones of said two prices, a set of momentaryswitches in said electric control means operable to actuate said cycliccontrol means to vend selected items, a pricing switch in said electriccontrol circuit means for each item establishing a selected one of saidprices, and further electrical control circuits including said pricingswitches and said circuits controlling payout in said coin mechanismconnected for operation by said momentary switch selection to initiate avending cycle to dispense a selected said item identified by an actuatedone of said momentary switches only when at least the selected price isdeposited in the coin mechanism wherein the coin mechanism makes changein response to the circuits controlling payout and including relaycontrol circuits controlled by the price selection switch for theselected item controlling the payout of change.
 8. A machine as definedIn claim 7 wherein said further electrical control circuits consist of asingle low price relay connected to operate said coin mechanism forcontrolling payout for any of said plurality of items identified by theposition of its respective said pricing switch as a lower price item ofsaid two prices and a single high price relay connected to operate saidcoin mechanism for controlling payout of any of said plurality of itemsidentified by the position of its respective said pricing switch as ahigh price item of said two prices.